Georgia Southwestern finalizing plans to help Georgians earn degrees

University System of Georgia schools are planning to meet the goal of adding an additional 250,000 postsecondary graduates to the state's rolls by 2020. / File

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:03:00 GMT —

Georgia Southwestern has joined with other University System of Georgia Schools in finalizing plans to help Georgians earn more degrees.

The campus plans detail exactly how the ambitious goal of adding an additional 250,000 postsecondary graduates to the state's rolls by 2020 is going to be met. As institutions begin to implement the plans, higher education officials point out that they will receive continued assistance to improve the plans and will be held accountable for progress.

"The plans are a signal of the immense effort to date, a renewed and strengthened focus on access and graduation, and a commitment to continue and expand the work over the coming years," said Lynne Weisenbach, the USG's vice chancellor for Educational Access and Success, who is leading the CCG efforts in the University System. "Increasing Georgia's college completion rate is not something that can be changed overnight and is about the learning process to continually improve and find what works."

Weisenbach said that throughout the University System, many efforts will have a positive effect on college affordability by shortening the time to degree, lessening the likelihood a student may stop-out temporarily from their education, and providing options so students may attend school while working, serving their country and raising a family. All 35 University System institutions â" including Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) â" have built upon localized partnerships with K-12 schools, TCSG, businesses, and foundations in developing the plans.

"An important component in our plan is integrating all aspects of the university community to come together to work toward our CCG goals," said Brian Adler, Ph.D., vice president for Academic Affairs at GSW. "Academic Affairs is working closely with Student Affairs; Business Affairs is working closely with Enrollment Management. Retention and continued student success is everybody's business."

For more on the University System of Georgia's report, visit their website.